U.S. Bank Stadium to Host Flag Football Tournament

Minneapolis, MN—May 13, 2016— Ever dream of playing football in an NFL stadium?  How about at the brand-new home of the Minnesota Vikings?

Your dream can become a reality and it won’t even require a set of football pads or helmet to participate.  Minnesota Touch of Football presented by UnitedHealth Group will be the first charity event to take over the new U.S. Bank Stadium.  The event benefits the Minnesota Chapter of the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA), a volunteer-driven organization dedicated to finding cures for digestive diseases. 

The event, hosted on Saturday, September 10, is a one-day, 7-on-7 flag football tournament.  Online registration opens to the general public at www.ccfa.org/football on Friday, May 13 and is limited to the first thirty-three teams.  Each team is guaranteed three games with both recreational and competitive divisions available.  Professional referees will officiate the games and prizes will be awarded to the champions of each division as well as the top fundraising team and individual.  All participants will receive a game-day shirt, complimentary lunch and access to an exclusive behind-the-scenes stadium tour. 

“We are literally rolling out the green carpet for this event and there’s no better way to experience the new stadium before the Vikings’ home opener,” said Eric Grenz, Construction Executive at Mortenson and volunteer event committee member.

The day’s festivities will kickoff with early round games and opening ceremonies hosted by WCCO’s Jason DeRusha.  After pool-play is complete in the morning rounds, athletes will enjoy an authentic stadium lunch experience while watching a “halftime” celebrity game featuring former Vikings players, ESPN radio talent, local media personalities and more. 

Players and spectators will have the opportunity to experience the 1500ESPN FanZone complete with kids football competitions, Vikings cheerleaders, crafts, games and more.  Spectator tickets are available online at www.ccfa.org/football and include options for exclusive stadium tours and a VIP lunch experience. 

The tournament is expected to sell out quickly.  Teams may register at no-cost and commit to raising $3,500 or $250 per person for a team of up to 14 players.  Corporate teams are available starting at $5,000.  All proceeds benefit CCFA, the leading non-profit on a mission to cure digestive diseases. 

“We are extremely excited to host this new charity event in the heart of Minneapolis, knowing the funds raised will have an immediate impact on the work we do at CCFA to one day find a cure for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis,” says Aaron Castens, Executive Director of the Minnesota Chapter of the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America.  

The event is made possible by generous support from UnitedHealth Group, Mortenson, Minnesota Vikings, Lucid Integrated Systems, 1500ESPN, Minnesota Flag Football League, Refresh Fitness Retreats, APi Group, Minnesota Gastroenterology, PA, Fairview Specialty Pharmacy, Health Partners Gastroenterology, Northland Concrete & Masonry, Ames Construction, and Egan.   

For more event information visit:  www.ccfa.org/football or follow the event on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/events/1081435548546623/ or contact Aaron Castens of the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation at acastens@ccfa.org or 646-750-7100.